EAST PROVIDENCE — The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the East Providence Police Department and the East Providence Prevention Coalition (EPPC), plan the annual prescription drug “Take-Back” initiative that seeks to prevent increased pill abuse and theft.
The DEA will be collecting potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs for destruction on Saturday, Sept. 27, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the East Providence Police Station located at 750 Waterman Ave.
The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Many Americans are not aware that medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse.
Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are increasing at alarming rates, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.
In addition, many Americans do not know how to properly dispose of their unused medicine, often flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away – both potential safety and health hazards.
For more information visit deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/ or contact the EPPC at 401-435-1923.